topic Re: SAS FORMAT in SAS Programming

SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:30:06 GMT

Hi,

I have a SAS dataset in which the format on a particular variable is Best12.

I changed to Best7. and applied it.

When I close the dataset and reopen it the format is still Best12.

How can I save the changes before closing the dataset?????

Regards

Re: SAS FORMAT

CTorres — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:52:32 GMT

You can use Proc DATASETS to permanently change the format of a variable. You do not need to open the dataset

CTorres

Re: SAS FORMAT

CTorres — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:11:48 GMT

proc datasets library=yourlib nolist;

modify your_dataset;

format your_var best7.;

quit;

CTorres

Re: SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:14:30 GMT

So IF I use the following code I can change the formats for variables in a dataset present in a particular library??????

Thanks

proc datasets library=sgflib;

modify dataset_name;

format price dollar6.2 ;

informat date mmddyy10.;

run;

Re: SAS FORMAT

CTorres — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:22:49 GMT

Yes. And also remember to end the proc Datasets with a quit; statement.

Re: SAS FORMAT

MaikH_Schutze — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:36:57 GMT

Hi Robert,

Could you share the code you used that didn't work for you. I am curious because you can definitely apply a format permanently using the DATA step. Although you have to create a new copy of the data set. Using a FORMAT statement inside of DATA step will assign the format permanently.

data new;

set test;

format numvar best7.;

run;

Thanks,

Re: SAS FORMAT

naveen_srini — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:17:53 GMT

Hi, I believe the reason why C.Torres suggested the use of proc datasets is because you can avoid datastep processing like in your example writing to a new dataset. You are pretty much compiling, executing and doing the whole process that is something can be avoided.

You can assign a format even with an attribute statement, nevertheless proc datasets is a powerful procedure for managing SAS datasets.

HTH,

Naveen

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:20:06 GMT

I think the word "close the dataset" implies that opened the dataset in the viewer and modified the format there, which does not stick beyond the viewer session.

Re: SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:09:16 GMT

Hi,

Thank you all for the reply.

I get the following error can someone help me understand the meaning and the place of mistake????

I have the dataset teamA in the teams library

Thanks

proc datasets library=teams nolist;

modify teamA;

format VAR1 best8.;
format var2 var3 var4 var5 best7.;

quit;

ERROR: The file teams.teamA (memtype=(DATA VIEW)) was not found, but appears on a MODIFYstatement.

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:16:51 GMT

Exactly that, there's no dataset named teamA in your library teams.

Proc datasets requires both a run and quit.

What's the output from the following, does it list teamA?

proc datasets library=teams;

run; quit;

Re: SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:21:48 GMT

yes. it does list TeamA...after running Proc Contents

I was thinking we do not have permission to change the format on the datasets........and maybe that's the reason its giving that ERROR????

Do you agree???

Regards

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:28:45 GMT

Proc contents or proc datasets?

Re: SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:30:42 GMT

I mean the error is with Proc Datasets..........

proc datasets library=teams nolist;

modify teamA;

format VAR1 best8.;
format var2 var3 var4 var5 best7.;

run;

quit;

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:33:25 GMT

Please post your output from the following proc datasets code:

The output should be in the log.

proc datasets library=teams;

run;quit;

Re: SAS FORMAT

robertrao — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:45:26 GMT

This is all what I got in the log!!!

Apart from this there is a " results viewer " where I could see all the datasets in this library and TeamA exists there!!!!

2492 proc datasets library=teams;
2493
2494 run;

2494! quit;

NOTE: PROCEDURE DATASETS used (Total process time):
      real time           0.17 seconds
      user cpu time       0.12 seconds
      system cpu time     0.00 seconds
      memory              529.06k
      OS Memory           26860.00k
      Timestamp           12/30/2014 04:42:49 PM
      Step Count                        142 Switch Count 0

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:53:39 GMT

Proc datasets doesn't generate output to the results window, only the log, in SAS 9.3 at least.

If you're 100% sure it exists and the code below doesn't work, contact tech support.

proc datasets library=teams;

modify teamA;

format VAR1 best8. var2 var3 var4 var5 best7.;

run;

quit;

Re: SAS FORMAT

CTorres — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:03:16 GMT

Hi Rezza,

Yes, proc Dataset DOES generate output to the result windows if you do not use the nolist option. Even in SAS 9.3.

Indeed, the following two procs generate the same output:

proc datasets lib=work;

run; quit;

proc contents data=work._all_ nods;

run;

Happy New Year,

CTorres

Re: SAS FORMAT

Reeza — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:05:03 GMT

Sort of, with ODS HTML it does, with ODS LISTING it does not.